Drafting Volunteer Job Descriptions

Job descriptions for volunteers are recommended by many fundraising consultants and industry experts as an aid to volunteers, an organizational tool, and a preventative for volunteer burnout. (Volunteer recruitment checklist) Volunteer job descriptions let people know exactly what is required of them if they sign ...

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What Is Scrip And How Can You Fundraise With It?

In general, the term “scrip” refers to “substitute money”. With the right partner, a scrip fundraiser can be a very good fundraising tool! Scrip – What Is It? Scrip is substitute money that is given in the form of a certificate or card that can ...

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Accounting For Fundraising Efforts: Keeping Good Fundraising Records

Executing a good fundraising campaign is only half the battle; the behind-the-scenes management of the fundraising campaign constitutes the other half. Good fundraiser management starts from the very beginning with keeping good records. Accurate record keeping ensures not only that the current campaign will proceed ...

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When Raising Funds For An Individual, Consider ModestNeeds.org

Are you currently raising funds for an individual to help him or her with unforeseen expenses due to health problems or job loss for example? If the funds raised aren’t sufficient to help the individual avoid extreme financial hardship or even poverty, consider helping him ...

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Fundraising Donation Request Letters – A Writing Guide

Donation request letters can be used as just one part of a fundraising campaign, or they can be the campaign in its entirety. Many organizations prefer to run their campaign entirely through donation request letters because they   require few volunteers, but reach a large ...

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Steps To Starting A Successful Non-Profit Organization

If you’ve decided that your group is ready to start a non-profit, consider the following steps involved in the successful and legal creation of a new non-profit organization. Be aware that requirements can vary from state to state and from organization to organization. This list ...

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Should Our PTO File For Non-Profit Status?

Most parent-teacher groups operating in the U.S. today are not affiliated with the national PTA. In large part, these groups have decided to remain independent of the national PTA in order to avoid membership fees and dues. The downside to being independent of the national ...

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Start Your Fundraiser Right By Setting Clear Goals

The first item on your group’s agenda at the start of each fundraising season or campaign should be to set goals. The most prominent fundraising goal will be a dollar figure, but your organization may benefit from setting other goals as well. Setting Clear Dollar-Figure ...

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Common Fundraising Mistakes

A group’s best efforts can end in failure for some very common and predictable reasons. Some of the most common mistakes in fundraising campaigns include: Insufficient planning: – Be sure to thoroughly identify and then delegate every single task. Everyone should know exactly what they’re ...

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Help! Everyone In This Fundraiser Disagrees!

Ask 20 people for an idea on a fundraiser and guess what you are going to get?  Probably 20 different ideas!  That can make it tough to reach a starting point for your fundraiser. Even if you are the leader of a fundraising project, you ...

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Increase Your Fundraising Campaign’s Media Coverage

Media coverage is a powerful tool for advertising both your organization, your need, and your group’s fundraising efforts. Press releases are powerful tools you can use to inform interested media of your upcoming and ongoing fundraising events. The difficulty with press releases is that media ...

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How to Write a Press Release for an Event

A fundraising press release for an event can be a powerful marketing tool that can lead to big exposure. The purpose of a press release is to alert media and the public that your fundraising event is upcoming. Often, local newspapers and TV stations will ...

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Sample Donation Request Letter To Parents

Following is a sample donation request letter to be sent to parents; feel free to copy and customize this letter with your school specific information as needed. (>> More donation request letters. For any other use, please contact us first.)     Dear Parent, First ...

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Raise Funds Online – With Or Without Your Own Website! Part 2

If your group already has a website, click over to part 1. (Tip: Raising funds online may present new legal considerations for your group. It may be best to consult your legal adviser before raising funds online.)     2. IF YOUR GROUP DOESN’T HAVE ...

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Raise Funds Online – With Or Without Your Own Website! Part 1

Whether your group has a website or not, there are several different ways to fundraise online. Keep reading, if your group already has a website, or read Part 2 if your group doesn’t have a website. If you’re looking for an online fundraising service that ...

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